STAFF WRITER
Goalie Anthony Stolarz and center Scott Laughton were the two biggest surprises among the 11 players the Flyers protected in the expansion draft.
The NHL released the protection lists Sunday.
Stolarz, 23, was protected over veteran goalie Michal Neuvirth, who is among the players exposed to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Because of recent knee surgery, it seemed a long shot Vegas would have selected Stolarz.
Protecting Laughton, a restricted free agent, was an even bigger surprise, though he did play well after being sent down to the AHL’s Phantoms last season.
Still, he clearly had fallen behind Jordan Weal on the depth chart.